Refrigerating apparatus



C. C. HANSEN.

REFRIGEBATING APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED MAYI9, 1916.

1,330,866. v Patented Feb. 17,1920.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l- C. C. HANSEN.

REFRIGERATING APPARATUS.

v APPLICATION FILED MAYIQI 1916- 7 1,330,866. Patented Feb. 17,1920.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2- I .52 a i lumen/Z07! 104m A. fi m y f M wflggk C. C. HANSEN. REFRIGERATING APPARATUS.

. APPLICATION FILED MAY 19. l9l6. 1,330,866.

Patented Feb. 17,1920.

3 SHETSSHEET 3.

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onnnnns o'. 1 mm, or ronnsr rum, rumors, nssronon r nnrmenmrme SPECIALTIES COMPANY, OF CHIGAGO, ILLINOIS, A'CQRPORA'I'ION OF ILLINOIS.

REFRIGERATING APPARATUS.

Specification 0'! Letters latent.

Patented Feb. 17, 1922.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that '1, CHARLES HANSEN,

a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Forest Park, in the county'of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvementsin Re'frigeratmg Apparatus, of which the following is a full, clear, a and exact description. U

The invention relates to refrlgeratmg apparatus.

One object of the invention is to provide improved regulation for a system ncluding several separate refrigerating units operated by a single com ressor m-which. rovision is made for in ividually control mg the units responsively to temperature fluctuations. -The invention contemplates controlling the operation of the compressor by the pressure of cooling water used .in condensmg the refrigerant and utilizing the pressure in the water line to control the operation of the compressor.

' motors.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved mechanism for controlling the supply of refrigerant to the several un ts, whicli is conjointly controlled by suction pressure in the low pressure side of the refri erant line and a starting motor.

ther objects of the invention will appear from the description of the system.

The invention consists in the several novel features hereinafter set forth and more particularly defined by claims at the conclusion hereof.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of a refrigerating system embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical section through the controlling mechanism for one of the refrigerating units. Fig. 2* is a diagram of the thermostatically controlled circuits for'one of the controlling Fig. 3 is asection taken on line 33'of Fig. 2 and Fig. 4 is a section taken there is a plurality on line 4-4 of Fig. 2. I

The invention is designed more particularly for a refrigerating system, in which of separately controlled refrigerating units for separate rooms or compartments, a common compressor and condenser for the entire system and controlling mechanism where'by-temperature fluctuations in the rooms Wlll control the operation of compressor.

In the diagram (Fig. l), the system comprises separate refrigerating units a, I), 0 and d-located in separate rooms. Each refri'ger'ating room. contains a suitable refrigerant-coil 6 connected to a refrigerant valve, and a thermostat 7 for controlling a controlling the electrical connections for motor 34. A refrigerant valve 16 is provided for each unit. A water valve 24 is also provided for each unit. A compressor 8 serves to suppl refrigerant to all of the refrigerating coi s in the system. The refrigerant line comprises a low pressure main 9 which is connected to all of the refrigerant-coils 6 and leads into the compressor, and a high pressure main 14, which is connected by branches. 15 to all the refrigerant valves 16 for the several units, is connected to a receiver 12, A condenser-coil 11 is connected to the receiver, and a pipe .10 leads from the compression side of the compressor to the condenser. Each valve 16 is connected by a pipe 17 to a refrigerant coil 6.

The invention designs to utilize the pressure of the water supplied to the refrigerating system, usually for condensing, to individually control the motor for operating the compressor. Water is supplied to the system by a pipe 20 which delivers the water into the condenser-tank 21. i A main 22 conducts water from the condenser to branches 23 which; are connected to the water-valves 24, respectively. From valves 24, the water passes through branches 25 to a return-main 26 which delivers the water after it has passed through the system into a casing 27 adapted to be operated by Water-pressure to operate a switch-member 29 which controls a current for the operation of the motor 30 which is suitably connected to drive the-compressor 8. After having passed through the system, the water is discharged from the chamber 27 through pipe 31.

The foregoing exemplifies a system comprising a seriesv of refrigerating units each' having a refrigerating coil, thermostat, re

which contains a plunger 28 frigerant valve, water valve and a controltrolling-mechanism and gearing for operat-' ing the shaft 33 are more full set forth in an application filed by me eb. 23, 1916,

' serial No. 79,813 to which reference may be refrigerant under low pressure. The. hi hi had for such details. The shaft 33 is provided with a cam 36 for operating the re-. frigerant valve 16. The motor 34, controller 35, shaft 33 and its connections are inclosed in a suitable case 37. The water-valve 24 comprises a casing 38 having an inlet chamber 39 to which a supply-branch 23 is connected, a valve seat 40, a valve-plunger 41, a spring 42 for normall closing said lunger, a stem 43 secured to t e plunger an extend ing upwardly to a point adjacent the cam 36, where it is provided with a roller 44 adapted to be operated by said cam 36 so that the plunger 41 will be alternately opened and closed during the successive half revolutions of shaft 33. I

Each refrigerant-valve 16 comprises a casing 46 to o e side of which a branch 15 of the high pr issure side of the refri erant 'line is connect d and t0 the other side of which a branch 17 of the low pressure side of the refrigerant line is connected; The high pressure refrigerant from pipe 15 is de i vered into a chamber 47. containing a'' sleeve 48 suitably fixed in. the casing 46 and containin a valve seat 49 incom munication with the c amber 47 by a ort 50. A valveplunger 51 mountedin t e sleeve 48 and normally closed by a spring 52disposed be-v low the valve, is adapted to close the valve at seat 49. Valve-plunger 51 is provided ing stem 53 which is adapte to be engaged b a vertically slidable cap ,54 which is gui ed on lugs 55 on casing 46. A chamber 57 formed in the up er portion of casing 46 is in communication with the low-pressure refrigerant pipe 17, and valve-plunger 51 when open,

with an u wardly exten permits the high pressure refrigerant underreduced pressure to pass into said chamber 57. The top of chamber '57 is formed by a diaphragm 58 secured between casin 46 and a hood 59 on the top thereof. his diaphragm is exposed to the pressure of the pressure fluid enteri the chamber 57 w1ll e impacted against p ate 54. which will assist in breakin up. and vaporizin the fluid. A head 60 is 58 and is adapted to engage the diaphragm to force it downwardl to lower cap 54 and openthe valve 51. fiead 60. is secured to a stem 61 suitabl guided in hood 59. and a spring 62 in. sai hood is applied to force the diaphragm downwardly when the pres sure in chamber 57 and the low pressure side slide 64 which is suitably sposed above the iaphragm- -of the refrigerant line is reduced by suction from the compresssor. The force of s ring 62 may be adjusted by a sleeve nut 63. he upper end of stem 61 is connected to a 37 and is provided with a roller 65adapted to be operated by the cam 36 on shaft 33.

'Slide 64 is provided with an elongated slot 66 through which shaft 33 passes. When the refrigerating unit is at rest, cam 36' of its contro shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, and will hold head 60 raised against the force of spring 62, and as aresult, spring 52 will hold valve-plunger 51 closed so that communication between'the high pressure side and the low pressuraside of the line will be cut off. When shaft 33 is operated the first cycle under thermostatic control, as hereinafter set forth, cam 36 will be rotated to release roller 65 and the head 60. The operation of the diaphragm 58 will depend, however, upon the. suction pressure in the low pressure side of the refrigerant line of the refrlgerating unit. When the compressor is in operatlon, it will create suflicient suction in the low pressure side of the line to gfrmit spring 62 to force head 60 and ided in casing ling mechanism will be in position aphragm 58 downwardly to open valve plunger 51. As soon, however, as the compressor stops, the pressure in the chamber 57 will be suflicient to overcome the force of spring 62, thus lifting head 60,'stem 61 and roller 65- and causing spring 52 to close valve-plunger 51 and cut off communication between the high pressure side and the low pressure side 0 the refrigerant line. When shaft 33 has been operated another cycle or half revolution, cam 36 will be rotated into position to lock the head 60 in raised posi- 1on. Y

Each controller 35 has associated therewith three brush-contacts 35, 35", and 35 Contact 35 is connected to a thermostat-contact 70 by a conductor 71. Contact35 is connected by conductor 7 2 to the thermostat 7 and contact 35 is connected by a conductor 73 to a thermostat-contact 74 which is alsoconnected to one of the brushes for the motor 34. Current is supplied to the thermostatically controlled circuit through motor 34 by conductors. 75 and 76 which are connected; to the line-conductors 77. and 78' respectively. Each-controller 35 controls a circuit for a motor 34. which operates the water-valve and the refrigerant valve of one refrigerating unit. When the unit is at rest,

the water valve 24 and the refrigerant valve 16 will both be closed and the controller will be in the-position shown in Fig. '2". The

motor 34 will lie-Rt because the circuit therefor will be open; When the temperature in a refrigerating room rises to the predetermined maximum, its thermostat 7 will touch contact 70, whereupon a c1rcuitfdr causin the operation of motor 34 of the contro i mechanism for said room will be establishe as follows: Line conductor 77, conductors 75, 71, contact 70, thermostat 7, conductor 72, contact 35*, controller 35, contact 35", conductor 73, motor 34, conductor 76, and line-conductor 78. 'The motor 34 will then operate to rotate shaft 33 one half revolution. Controller 35} is provided with an interrupter notch 35 which is normally in position to break the contact between. the controller and the contact 35. When "the shaft 33 has completed a half revolution, the notch 35 will be brought into position to be disposed at contact 35", whereu on said circuit will be interrupted causing t e motor 34 to stop. When shaft 33-has been thus operated, cam 37 will hold openi the water valve 41 and cam 36 will release roller 65 and stem 61 to the lower end of which head.

60 is attached, so that spring 62 will, when 1ts force prepon'derates the pressure in the chamber 57, cause head 60 to force the diaphragm 58 downwardly to open the refrigerant-valve 5-1.

When the temperature in the refrigerating room has been lowered to the desired maximum, thermostat 7 will move against contact 74 and establish a circuit -for'the operation .of motor 34 as follows: Line conductor 77 conductor 7 5, contact 35, controller 35, contact 35*, conductor 7 2, thermostat 7 contact 74, conductor 73, motor 34, conductor 76 and 'line-conductor 78. The operation of motor 34 will continue until notch 35 passes into normal position adjacent contact 35 and until shaft 33 has been rotated a half-revolution to cause cam 37 to permit water-valve 41 to close and to operate cam 36 into position to lock the stem .61 and head 58 in raised position.

The operation of the oontrollin mecha, nism for each of the several units will be the same and when the water valve 24 of any one of the refrigerating units is open, water, if present in the supply system, will flow to pipe 26 and into casing 27 to operate plunger 28 which is connected to the switch 29' for controlling the motor for driving thei compressor. I

The brushes of motor 30 which drives the compressor, are connected by conductors 80 and 81 to' the line-conductors 77 and 78 respectively, and normally separated switchcontacts 82 and 83 are included in conductor 81. Contact 82 is mounted on a lever 84 which is adapted to be operated by a cam 85. A double solenoid magnet comprising helices 86 and 87 has an armature operatively connected to cam 85, so that by alternately energizing said helices, lever 84 will be shifted to close and open contacts 82 and 83 for the circuit for the motor 30. Switch-member 29 in one. of its alternative positions is adapted to bridge a pair of contacts 89 and 90.and

in its other position is adapted to bridge a pair of contacts 91 nd 92. A conductor 93 connected to both of the helices 86 and 87 1s connectedto contacts 90 and 92. A conductor 94 connects the helix 86 and contact 91 and a conductor 95 connects contact 89 and helix 87. Conductor 94 is connected by a branch 96 to line conductor 77 and conductor 95 is connected by a branch 97 to line conductor 7 8. The motor 30 will be at rest when plunger 28 is in its normal position. When there is no water-pressure inw casing '27, switch member 29 Will close a circuit for holding the switch lever 84 open. Said circuit wil be as follows: line conductor 7 7, conductors 96 and 94, helix 86, conductor 93, contact 90, switch member 29, contact 89, the conductors 95, 97 and line-conductors 7 8. This circuit energizes the solenoid to hold the switch-lever 87 open, so that the ductor 93, helix 87 to cause its armature to shift cam 85 into position to operate lever 84 to close the contacts 82, 83 of the circuit for the motor 30 which drives the compressor. This circuit will remain closed so that the motor 30 will operate the compressor until plunger 28 is restored to normal position shown in Fig.1, which occurs when the supply of water to casing 27 is cut off, which results from the closing of the watervalves 24.

The operatiorr of the system will be as follows: Assuming the temperaturein all of the refrigerating rooms to be above the predetermined minimum, the compressor Will be at rest, the water-valves 24 and the refrigerating valves 16 will be closed, so that there will be no pressure in the pipe 26 and in casing 27 which contains the plunger 28 for operating the switch-member 29. Cams 36 will thenhold heads raised, so that the springs 62 will be inoperative to open the refrigerant-valves 51 and cams 37 will be in position to permit the valves 41 to be held against seats 40 by s rings If the temperature in any of he refrigerating rooms a, b, 0, (2 should rise above the predetermined maximum, rendering circulation of refrigerant necessary, the thermostat 7 for that room will close the circuit for the controlling motor for that room'as hereinbefore described and cause the operation'of the motor 34 controlled by that thermostat. For. example, if the thermostat 7 in therefrigerating room d should operate responthermostat would be closed, so that the shaft 33 operated by said motor will be operated one-half revolution, causing the cam 37' thereon to lower valve-plunger 41 and cam 36 on said shaft to release the head 60 con trolled thereby. When the valve-plunger 41 for that unit is open, water under pressure will flow from pipe 20 through condensertank 21, pipe 22, branch 23 for the controlling mechanism of the refrigerating unit (1, through valve 24 and pipe 26 into and through the casing 27 and be discharged through the pipe 31. The pressure of this water will operate plunger 28 to shlft switch member 29 so it will be bridged across contacts 91 and 92 to establish the circuit hereeration of the refrigerating system. When the compressor 8 is in operation, it will produce a suction pressure in the low-pressure' side of the refrigerant line and through the refrigerating valve 24 of the refrigerating unit at. This suction will be suflicient to cause-thespring-pressed head 60 Which has been released by the cam 36 to force its diaphragm 58 downwardly, thus causing the cap 54*to force the stem 53 of the valve 51 downwardly and into open position, so that refrigerant from the high pressure side of the hue will pass through the refrigerant valve casing, branch pipe 17 and coil 6 of the refrigerating unit 03 and through main 9 to the compressor 8 which will compress the refrigerant and force it through condenser 11 and into the receiver 12. When the refrigerant has been circulated through.

the coil of the unit d sufliciently to lower the temperature to the redetermined minimum, the thermostat 7 or controlling that unit will establish the circuit hereinbefore described for again operating motor 34 for a sufiicient period to o erate the shaft 33 a one-half revolution. hen, cam 37 will be in position to permit spring 42 to close valve-plunger 41 and cam 36 will lift the spring-pressed head 60 and lock it in raised position so that the spring 52 will close the refrigerant valve 51. As soon as the watervalve 24 is closed, water will cease to flow through the return main 26 and plunger 28 in casing 27 will be shifted by its spring to restore switch-member 29 into normal position shownin Fig; 1. Thereupon, a circuit will be established through the solenoid to shift lever 84 to open the circuit for operating the motor 30, thus discontinuing the operation of the compressor 8.

It will be understood that all the units will operate in the same manner responsively to their thermostats for controlling them, so that it is not deemed necessary to describe the operation of each unit.

'It will also be understood that if the temperature in a plurality or all of the units should simultaneously rise, all of them will be simultaneously operated. In all instances, the operation of the compressor is dependent ppon suflicient water pressure in the water me. 1 i

V The invention exemplifies a. refrigerating system comprising a plurality of separately controlled refrigerating units and a single compressor, condenser and refrigerating line to which all of the units are connected and in which the operation of the motor is controlled by water-pressure in the system. The system also exemplifies one in which several of the separately controlled units may be simultaneously operated. Also one in WhlCh the refrigerating valve is conjointly operated by' the controllingmotor and the suction caused by the compressor in the low pressure side of the refrigerant line.

The invention is not to be understood, as

restricted to the details set forth, since these may be modified within the scope of the appended claims, witho'u-t departing from the splrlt'and scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention,

Iiettels Patent, is:. 1 f

1. In an automatic refrigerating system, the combination of a plurality of refrigerating units, a refrigerating line connected to said units, a compressor connected to said refrigerant line, a condenser, a motor for 160 what I claim as new and desire to secure by operating the compressor, means for supply- I mg cooling liquid to the condenser, means for separately controlling the operation of the refrigerating units, including devices for controlling the flow of cooling liquid, and means operated by the cooling Water controlled by said devices forcollectively controlling the operation of said motor.

7 2. In an automatic refrigerating'system, the combination of a plurality of refrigerating units, a refrigerating line connected to said 11111138, a compressor connected to said 'refrigerant line, a condenser, a' motor for operating the, compressor, means for supply- A the combination of a plurality of refrigerating units, controlling mechanism for each unit comprising a motor,: -a-water galyc operated by said controlling motor aild a refrigerant valve, a compressor, a motor for operating said compressor, a refrigerant line connected to the compressor and to all of said units, means for supplying cooling liquid to the system and to said watervalves, and means controlled by the flow of coolin water through said valves for auto matica ly controlling the operation of the compressor-driving motor.

4. In an automatic refrigerating system, the combination of a plurality of refrigerating units, controlling'meansfor each unit comprising a controlling motor, a watervalve operated by said starting motor, arefrigerant valve and a thermostat, a compressor, a motor for operating said com pressor, afrefrigerant line connected to the compressor,and' to all of said units, means v for supplying cooling liquid to the system and to said water valves, and means controlled by the flow of cooling water through said valves'for automatically controlling the operation of the compressor driving motor.

5. In an automatic refrigerating system, the combination of a plurality of refrigerating units, controlling means for each unit comprlsing a thermostat and a. controlling motor, water-valves, refrigerant valves controlled by the controlling motors respectively, a compressor, a refrigerant line connected to the compressor and to all of the refrigerant valves, a line for supplying cooling liquid to the system connected to all ofssaid Water valves, and means for con-' trolling the compressor-driving motor to cause 1ts operation when Water is passing throu h any of the water valves.

6. I n an automatic refrigerating system, the combination of a plurality of refrigerat ing units, controlling means for each unit comprising a thermostat and a controlling motor, water valves and refrigerant valves controlled by the starting motors respec tively, a compressor, a 'refri erant line connected to the compressor an to the refriger-.

ant valves of all of said units, a line for supplying cooling liquid to the system connected'to all of said water-valves, a switch the compressor-driving motor, and swltch-controlling means operitted by water passing through the water me. I

7. In an automatic refrigerating s stem, the combination of a compressor, a re rigerant line connected to said compressor, a

thermostatically controlled motor, arefrig erant valve having a chamber therein con-' nected to the low pressure side of the refrigerant line and means 001110111131) controlled by said motor and the refrlgerant'in the low pressure side of the refrigerant line.

' 8. In an automatic refrigerating s stem, the combination of a compressor, a re rigerant line connected to said compressor, a thermostatically controlled motor, a refrigerant valve having a chamber therein connected to the low pressure side of the refrigerant line, a diaphragm in said chamber for opening said valve, and means for operating the diaphragm controlled by the motor, said diaphragm being operable by pressure in the low frigerant line.

9. In an automatic refrigerating system, the combination of a compressor, a refrigerant line connected to said compressor, a thermostatically controlled motor, a spring-closed refrigerant valve-having a-chamber therein connected to the low presure side of the refrigerant line, spring-pressure means for opening said valve controlled by pressure in the low pressure side of the refrigerant line, and means controlled by the motor for clos-. ing said valve.

10. In an automatic refrigerating s stem;

I the combination of a compressor, a re rigerant line connected to said compressor, a thermostatically controlled motor, a springclosed refrigerantvalve having. a chamber therein connected to the loW pressure side of the refrigerant line, spring-closed means for opening said valve comprising a dia.

phragm controlled by pressure in the low pressure side of the refrigerant line, and spring-pressed means controlled by the motor for closing said valve.

11. In an automatic refrigerating system, the combination of a'compressor, a motor for operatin the compressor a thermostatically contro led motor, a refrigerant valve,

pressure side of the re- 12. In an automatic refrigerating system,

the combination of a compressor, a motor for operating the compressor a thermostatically controlled motor, a refrigerant valve, a refrigerant line connected to said refrigerant valve and the'compressor, the latter having a chamber therein connected to the low pressure side of the refrigerant line,

spring-pressed means for opening said valve, a diaphragm operated by said means, a cam for locking the spring-pressed means in inoperative position and operated b the thermostatically controlled, motor, sai diaphragm being controlled by the suction pressure in said chamber.

CHARLES C; HANSEN. 

